BOSTON n Legislation to foster so-called green startup companies to expand in Massachusetts and provide job skills to workers from all income levels has received unanimous approval from the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration.The bill, if passed, establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center as the state’s lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector.The agency would promote workforce training and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the state through the creation and administration of job-growth grants.The bill establishes two types of job-growth grants: Clean Energy Seed Grants and Green Jobs Initiative Grants. The first will award funding to clean-energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their organization and grow jobs. The latter will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.”The clean-energy industry stands to be a significant revenue and job generator for Massachusetts,” said Rep. Steven Walsh, a Lynn Democrat. “The green jobs bill will ensure that people of all income levels can take advantage of the jobs created in this new and promising sector and encourage companies to expand their operations in the Bay State.”Rep. Mark Falzone, a member of the Lynn delegation, said the clean-energy industry is growing at a remarkable rate. “It’s essential that the citizens of Massachusetts have available the training and resources required to take advantage of this great opportunity,” he said.According to Walsh, the bill is “revenue neutral” in that $43 million would come from the Massachusetts Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund and $5 million from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund. The funds would be used for grants and for program administration.In the state budget for fiscal 2009, $3.95 million was allocated to fund a clean energy industry study, operations at the new agency, and three different green job-growth programs that will be administered by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, including the Pathways out of Poverty workforce development grant to train low- and moderate- income individuals for jobs in the clean energy sector.The agency will also develop a statewide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state, Walsh said.”By providing new incentives for companies to promote clean energy technologies, this landmark legislation will increase energy efficiency and lesser our dependence on traditional fossil fuels, as well as further the state’s commitment to economic development and job creation,” said Rep. Robert Fennell, another Lynn Democrat.